Originally Posted by Fly_IAD

Your points about the IC make a lot of sense if if I were to think about being in Muscat for business and didnt care about swish new rooms, beautiful pool and overall new property. I could see the IC service being much stronger given how established it is as one of the original Muscat high end hotels. Am sure it probably has a very decent business lounge for working at night. I simply wouldn't be able to trade the lovely hard product of the W for the IC in its current state for my needs. The pool at the IC is like some YMCA concrete public kids pool situation in the USA from the 1970's so no wonder you find the pool view better at the W - clientele aside!

Have only been to visit friends at the Sheraton but my sense is that is a pretty solid Bonvoy property and a good deal that would be a place for business travelers who care less about nice pool or the most modern rooms vs a established service and a quiet business lounge. It will be very interesting to see what the soon to open JW Muscat is like!

Frankly, I do not really see a reason to stay at any of the hotels in Muscat - W included - if you can get Ritz Al Bustan Palace on points or if the price is comparable.

If the Ritz wasnt available and I was wanting to spend Bonvoy points I would return to the W for sure but have low expectations for service. My reason for returning to the W in such a case would solely be for the modern product and the great resort type pool (open 24 hours or so I was told and currently seems the largest in Muscat). I would not bother with dining (sure I'd have breakfast but with basic expectations in the same way I would with most high end hotels in the USA) or even try the spa. It is also not my scene compared to the more traditional luxury of the Ritz if that makes sense. I felt that the scene at the W was hip younger single crowd that enjoyed the club like atmosphere late into the night (nothing wrong with that at all of course). The Ritz had some of the same crowd but maybe felt more subdued and also more family friendly which is important to me.

Speaking of the Ritz Al Bustan Palace, I was really surprised by my initial stays. I think it is one of the strongest Ritz Carlton's anywhere (certainly without compare in MENA) with a fabulous pool, stunning beach (probably the best in the region outside of the lovelier beaches elsewhere in Oman), recently renovated rooms (granted they could be nice rooms in a Ritz pretty much anywhere so not a huge sense of place) and one of the most incredible lobbies you'll ever see. It is a historic building and definitely different, with sprawling manicured grounds and breathtaking views. Service at the Ritz is polished and they have a lovely, extremely experienced GM. Spa at the Ritz incidentally is also great (Six Senses) and I am not a spa person as find the treatments at hotel spas are often delivered by staff with low skills for ridiculous prices compared to a professional masseuse.